Detention mechanism for rotary switches, particularly stepping switches



w. RsL 3,3@,94@ DETENTION MECHANISM FOR ROTARY SWITCHES PARTICULARLY March 21, 1967 S'IEPPING SWITCHES Filed NOV. 18, 1964 A/A/E/VTOR. 137%1. GAZNG R352.

United States Patent Oil ice 3,309,946 Patented Mar. 21, 1967 4 Claims. (51. 74-527 The innovation relates to the new construction of a detention mechanism as it is used for rotary switches,

particularly stepping switches.

In the known construction types of such a detention or arresting mechanism a number of cams are arranged in a circle on a basic plate, which cams are, for example, made by pressing the material out of the basic plate. A flexibly borne ball is in the detenting position located on the basic plate between two cams. When the axle of the switch is turned the ball rolls onto the adjacent cam and over said cam. Thereby the spring with which the ball is fixed yields in the axial direction of the switchs axle. As soon as the ball has passed over the cam it is kept in place in its new arresting position by the springs pressure.

Another detention or arresting mechanism known is constructed thus that the resting means are distributed along the periphery of the arresting disk in such a way that a gap is located opposite each detent on the other side of the diameter. At the same subdivision of the circles circumference two detenting or arresting positions result for each gap separated from each other by the opposite located detent, so that by this detent the rotating member bearing the ball is fixed in one turning direction and the resting in the other turning direction by one of both detents on either side of such a gap. That means double the number of arresting positions than detents exist.

The innovation shows another solution of the above problem to increase the number of possible arresting positions. The innovation consists in that two arresting plates are each provided, with a circular series of cams opposing each other, between which arresting pins or arresting rollers slide, roll and can arrest, and that one of the arresting plates is flexibly and movably borne in the direction of the rotatable axle of the switch.

For a better understanding of the invention, refer to the following detailed description and drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the detent mechanism of the invention on a line through two of the detent pins;

FIG. 2 is a view on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view on line 3-3 of FIG, 1;

FIG. 4 is :a view on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 after the shaft and detent pins have been rotated to the next position.

An example of the innovation is shown in compliance with the respectively marked sections in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. Opposed to the firmly mounted arresting plate 1 is the arresting plate 2 arranged mobile in its axial direc tion in such :a way that the cams 1a, 1b, etc., integral with one arresting disk are staggered compared with the cams 2a, 2b, etc., integral with the other arresting plate. Between both arresting plates 1 and 2 the detent pins, rollers or the like 3a, 3b, 3c are provided, firmly anchored to the hollow shaft 4. Said hollow shaft may be firmly secured to axle 5 or follows in a way known per se the axle 5 of the rotary switch, if the switch and consequently simultaneously the detenting mechanism is actuated. The arresting plate 2 is led mobile in grooves 6a and 6b and is influenced by a screw-type spring 7.

While in the example of the description it is assumed that the switch parts and consequently the detent mechanism is kept in place by two lateral guide rods (not shown) the construction can also be made in such a way that the axle 5 serves this purpose and the hollow shaft 4 is the direct drive axle.

In the drawing, the detent pins 3a, 3b, and 3c are shown in the gaps between three adjacent pairs of cams: 1a, 1b, etc. on plate 1. As can be seen from FIG. 1, and in FIG. 4, the cams 2a, 2b, etc. of plate 2 are aligned with the pins so that the axial surfaces of the cams engage the pins. This represents one detent position of the switch shaft 4.

Upon rotation of shaft 4 relative to the plates 1 and 2,

the pins 3a, 3b and 3c ride the surface of three of the cams on plate 1, thereby moving axially and forcing plate 2 axially away from plate 1 against the urging of spring 7 until plate 2 snaps toward plate 1 into a position wherein the pins are located in the gaps between three pairs of cams on disc or plate 2 as shown in FIG. 5. In this second detent position, the pins have rotated half the distance between adjacent cams so that the pins engage the axial surface of three of the cams on plate 1. Note that from FIG. 1 the central opening in plate 2 is large enough to receive the enlarged portion of shaft 4 carrying pins 3a, 3b aiid 30 as plate 2 and the pins move into the second detent position. repeats this sequence of the pins, alternating their position from gaps between the cams of plate 1 and gaps between the cams on plate 2.

-The advantage of the innovation is the simple construction of the arresting mechanism compared with the number of arresting positions, being twice as high as the number of cams, i.e., at 12 cams according to the example herein given 24 arresting positions can be obtained.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects thereof and in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. A detent mechanism comprising:

a pair of plates, each having a series of spaced cams defining a series of gaps between the cams;

said plates being arranged with the cams in opposing staggered relation so that each cam of one plate is aligned with a gap on the other plate;

means supporting said plates to permit relative movement of the plates toward and away from each other while being relatively fixed in a plane parallel to the plates;

spring means urging said plates toward each other;

detent pin means including a pin sized to fit in one of said gaps between adjacent ones of said cams; and means for sequentially moving said pin from a gap between adjacent cams of one plate to a gap between adjacent cams in the other one of said plates.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said cams have a hemispherical shape and are formed integral with their respective plates.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said plates are circular discs; each of said series of cams are concentrically arranged on axial opposing faces of said discs, and said detent pins means and said moving means include a rotatable shaft extending through said discs and carrying a plurality of angularly spaced radially extending pins positioned between said discs for cooperation with said cams.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 wherein said supporting means includes a generally cylindrical housing with one of the discs forming an end of the housing and with Further rotation of shaft 4 the cams of said one disc extending inwardly, said hous- References Cited by the Examiner itrtilg l ra sling rngans iortngingtgn axiallyfextegdidnig slojgon UNITED STATES PATENTS e 11'] error ereo e o er one 0 sm scs ing positioned in said housing and having a radially extend- 2,811,867 11/1957 Hogberg 74-527 ing projection located in said slot to guide its axial move- 5 691441 1/1961 Showalter 200 116 ment and to prevent relative rotation of said discs, and 3,048,684 8/1962 Sharp et aL 74 527 said spring means includes a coil spring extending Within said housing and urging said other disc toward said one FRED MATTERN, JR., Primary Examzner disc. W. S. RATLIFF, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DETENT MECHANISM COMPRISING: A PAIR OF PLATES, EACH HAVING A SERIES OF SPACED CAMS DEFINING A SERIES OF GAPS BETWEEN THE CAMS; SAID PLATES BEING ARRANGED WITH THE CAMS IN OPPOSING STAGGERED RELATION SO THAT EACH CAM OF ONE PLATE IS ALIGNED WITH A GAP ON THE OTHER PLATE; MEANS SUPPORTING SAID PLATES TO PERMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE PLATES TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER WHILE BEING RELATIVELY FIXED IN A PLANE PARALLEL TO THE PLATES; SPRING MEANS URGING SAID PLATES TOWARD EACH OTHER; DETENT PIN MEANS INCLUDING A PIN SIZED TO FIT IN ONE OF SAID GAPS BETWEEN ADJACENT ONES OF SAID CAMS; AND MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY MOVING SAID PIN FROM A GAP BETWEEN ADJACENT CAMS OF ONE PLATE TO A GAP BETWEEN ADJACENT CAMS IN THE OTHER ONE OF SAID PLATES. 